The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
This may be the most unusual weepie I’ve ever read. At the beginning of the story, 14 year old Susie Salmon is already dead. She’s just been brutally murdered by a quiet serial killer in her 1970’s neighborhood, and now she’s in heaven watching the results of her death unfold down on earth. It’s painful for her to see her younger sister become older than Susie ever will, her parent’s marriage start to disintegrate as they grieve for her, and the first boy she ever kissed begin to grow up and forget her. Maybe worse is seeing Mr. Harvey, her murderer, continue to live contentedly in the house a block away from her parents, as the search for her killer tapers off and is finally closed. Susie finds that heaven doesn’t mean eternal happiness. But it helps that whatever you imagine becomes part of your own personal heaven, and for Susie, that means an ornate gazebo, a high school that is all extracurricular activities and no studying, and a gazillion dogs to play with and cuddle whenever she wants. Susie is terrified that her family will forget her. But until they learn to let her go they will never be healed. And neither will Susie. A contemplative weepie that will make you think and cry and then think some more. (3 weepies)
Sharon said,
January 7, 2008 @ 2:19 pm
It was a bit graphic in some places and left me crying but coming back for more. I recommended to other students in my 11th grade english class and we all enjoyed it.
Mari said,
May 23, 2008 @ 8:01 pm
A really great book. Words can’t describe how well written it was. I read it in my Writing 12 class with a few other people, none of us wanted to put it down. Definitely one everyone should read, or at least consider reading.
Jen Hubert said,
May 24, 2008 @ 7:21 am
Still one of my favorites. Interesting to hear that its being taught in a writing course…
Jordyn Brown said,
June 6, 2008 @ 9:23 pm
This book was terrific. I spent my summer reading it whenever i found time, and it was near impossible to put down. I think everyone should at least consider reading it. Well written, and dramatically exiting and emotional at the same time, it made me delve into the depths of my inner soul. And i think it is a book that many ages can read, if you read well. After all, I’m 12 years old, and read it quite fluently, all the while trying to think ahead and infer the upcoming events in the book. It will definitely remain on my shelf until the later years of my life.
Jen Hubert said,
June 7, 2008 @ 10:54 am
Jordyn, I think you should definitely read it again when you are older. I think you’ll get even more out of it at 16 then you have at 12.
rebeca said,
July 3, 2008 @ 10:28 pm
gripping book i couldn’t put down
you just want to let susie rip through the gates of heaven and go back down to earth to tell everyone who killed her
Kassie said,
July 14, 2008 @ 10:31 am
Wonderful book, although the beginning and middle are very sad the ending is full of hope…I love this book!!